*EPF209 09/18/01
Text: Negroponte Sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
(Top priority to build coalition against international terrorism) (350)

Secretary of State Colin Powell swore in Ambassador John D. Negroponte as U.S. Representative to the United Nations in a private ceremony at the Department of State September 18, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher announced in a statement.

Ambassador Negroponte will proceed immediately to New York where his "top priority will be working to implement the President's policy to forge a worldwide coalition against international terrorism," the statement said.

Following is the text of the statement:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
September 18, 2001

STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN

John D. Negroponte sworn in as UN Ambassador

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell swore in Ambassador John D. Negroponte as United States Representative to the United Nations this morning in a small private ceremony at the Department of State. The Secretary said, "in times like these, it is reassuring to know there are leaders like John Negroponte that the President and I can turn to for effective diplomacy, deep insight, and wise counsel."

Ambassador Negroponte will proceed immediately to New York, where he will present his credentials to UN Secretary General Annan on Wednesday, September 19. Ambassador Negroponte's top priority will be working to implement the President's policy to forge a worldwide coalition against international terrorism.

The Secretary said he looked forward to Ambassador Negroponte's leadership in advancing the full U.S. agenda at the United Nations -- including reform at the UN.

Ambassador Negroponte joined the Foreign Service in 1960. He has served as U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Mexico, and Honduras; as Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs; and as Deputy National Security Adviser. Most recently he was Executive Vice President for Global Markets at the McGraw Hill Companies. He is married to Diana Villiers Negroponte. They have five children, all adopted from Honduras.

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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